If you are new to UNSW, your student ID card will be available 60 days before the commencement of your first term. Make sure you've been enrolled in a course for at least 48 hours, then please follow the steps below to obtain your student ID card.

Before requesting your student ID card

1. Accept your offer and enrol

You must accept your offer and enrol in a course before you can get your student ID card.

Incoming Study Abroad or Exchange students will receive separate instructions by email about offer acceptance and enrolment from the Learning Abroad team.

Please note: You will need to wait 48 hours after enrolling before requesting your ID card.

2. Prepare your identification documents

When you attend in person to request your student ID card, you will need to bring one or more valid government-issued identity documents from the list below. If you do not bring accepted supporting documentation, UNSW will be unable to issue you with your student ID card.

Your identification documentation will be used to verify your identity and confirm your personal details (including your full legal name and if applicable your residency/citizenship status). If the UNSW record of your personal details are incorrect we will use your identification documentation to update those details.

Australian Citizen

  • Australian passport, or
  • Australian drivers licence and Australian birth certificate / citizenship certificate, or
  • NSW photo card (or equivalent) and Australian birth certificate / citizenship certificate.

New Zealand Citizen

  • New Zealand citizen passport, or
  • Australian drivers licence and New Zealand birth certificate / citizenship certificate, or
  • NSW photo card (or equivalent) and New Zealand birth certificate / citizenship certificate.

Australian Permanent Resident

  • Passport and Australian visa letter or label.

International Residents

  • Passport.

If you have legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce or a formal change of name request, you may be required to provide additional documentation that reflects the change.


Requesting your card

Information for:

All UNSW students (except Canberra/Distance)

Here you can find information for all students (other than UNSW Canberra and Distance Education students), on how to get your student ID card.

Receive your student ID card now

Make an appointment

Get more information about opening hours, location and availability of services at the Nucleus: Student Hub.

UNSW Canberra students

Log in to the ADFA Student Gateway for UNSW Canberra / ADFA student card information.

Distance students

Did you know? It only takes 2 minutes to print your Student ID card on the spot – just drop into The Nucleus: Student Hub

In most cases, you only need your Student ID card for access on UNSW Kensington & Paddington campuses.

Still need a Distance Student ID card?

Complete the Distance ID Card Application Form and submit it here. Please note: we do not post Distance Student ID cards internationally.

Make sure you attach:  

  •  a Passport-sized photo 

  • a certified copy of your photo ID (accepted ID: valid passport, Driver Licence, or NSW Photo Card).

If you are a new domestic student eligible for Commonwealth Support, you will need to provide proof of citizenship/residency status.  

How to prove I'm a student, before I get my ID card?

If you need to prove you are a student at UNSW, you can order an official UNSW letter confirming your enrolment details. When using a Concession Opal Card, Transport for NSW have advised that you can use a Transport Concession Entitlement Card instead.

What is your Student ID card used for?

  • identification
  • to prove you are a student
  • building access
  • borrowing from the Library
  • printing
 

Once you've got your card

Visit Arc Reception to get your Arc membership sticker and open up your student experience!

Visit Arc Reception

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